Home Visits

What can I expect from Home-Visiting Support?

Home-visiting volunteers work alongside the families that they support.

After contact is first made with Home-Start, you will receive an initial visit from one of our expert, caring co-ordinators, who will talk to you about how we support families, and will discuss your family’s individual needs.

After this visit, a volunteer will be carefully matched to your family, and will be introduced to you at the following visit.

All our volunteers are parents, so have first-hand experience of the ups and downs involved when raising a family. They will have all received in-depth training on how to support a family before any support begins, and will have been disclosure and barring checked.

Your volunteer will visit your family in your own home once a week for 2 hours –  working alongside you to give you free practical and emotional support which is non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential.

You decide together what this support looks like, so that you can feel in control of how things work and rebuild confidence.  It is bespoke support which is based on your individual family.

We help you to identify your strengths and then build upon them together, depending upon what you tell us you need.

Your volunteer might help you with:

  • Getting to appointments
  • Establishing routines for you and your children
  • Playing and reading with your children
  • Supporting you to find the best way to manage your children’s behaviour that works for your family
  • Meal planning and healthy eating
  • Accessing benefits, grants and financial support
  • Using local services or specialist support
  • Getting involved with your local community

They will:

  • Listen to your worries, concerns and hopes for your family
  • Offer a shoulder to cry on
  • Share their own experiences of parenting and family life
  • Be there because they want to be – not because someone has ‘sent’ them
  • Give you a break
  • Offer advice if you want and ask for it
  • Provide support, friendship and encouragement

 

“My volunteer organised much needed counselling for me and my daughter following our abuse. After I left my abusive partner, I was nervous and didn’t trust my judgement anymore. Home-Start has helped me to regain my confidence”.

Our Latest Annual Report provides insight into:

  • Expanding family support
  • Early childhood initiatives
  • Celebrating our 40th anniversary
  • Our financial position and challenges
  • Fundraising activities and partnerships
  • Achievements of our Family Support Groups
  • Inspiring family stories

…and much more. Read or download the full report to learn more.

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